The Queen’s Visit to Ireland
It is being reported that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit Ireland in the near future.
It would seem that they are looking forward to the visit, as are most of the Irish people. The report in the Irish Independent contains this.
The Queen will be accompanied by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and it is reported that privately both are keenly looking forward to their visit.
It must seem strange to them that the organisation of such a visit has taken so long, but relations between the two countries can be ultra-sensitive with neither side wanting to put the other in an awkward position.
Now that the Queen has accepted an invitation from President McAleese, all the formalities have been completed and history can be made. Predictably, not everyone will welcome the Queen’s presence and this tiny minority will no doubt try to detract from the overwhelmingly positive atmosphere surrounding the event.
But most Irish people have already made up their mind — this visit is welcome and shows how the relationship between the two countries has matured and deepened in recent years, particularly since the end of the Northern troubles.
The visit also occurs at a difficult time economically for both countries and Britain was among a group of European countries that contributed funds towards Ireland’s €85bn rescue package agreed in November.
That act of generosity, while motivated in part by economic self- interest, bonded the countries closer together and showed that Britain regards Ireland as an old friend, rather than an old foe.
It is perhaps not strange, that the Queen has not visited Ireland before. But there are only two other significant countries she has not visited; Israel and Greece. Israel I can understand, but Greece!
The Anonymous Widower 
Just remember the British involvement in Cyprus. British troops were seen standing by when Turkish troops invaded and the British bases were not attacked. Also, Britain is one of the only countries to accept the FYR Macedonia’s name change to Republic of Macedonia. This has rankled Greece.
Comment by Max | March 9, 2011 |